Perks like private State Fair housing for wealthy donors are nothing new

Some of the wealthiest donors to the Iowa State Fair are being leased recently constructed homes located on prime fairgrounds real estate, prompting questions about whether the special treatment is proper.
Wochit

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One of eight newly constructed homes that will be used for Iowa state fair donors sits near Pioneer Hall at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines.(Photo: Bryon Houlgrave/The Register)Buy Photo

Please tell me this isn’t the start of a new trend in Iowa — of all places. People with money (obviously, lots of money) can now use that money as donations to get perks like private housing on the Iowa State Fairgrounds? [Homes leased to wealthy donors knocked, Aug. 11.]

What’s next? Skyboxes and luxury suites at the big games? Reserved parking passes? The best tables at the finest restaurants in town? This is not breaking news.

I would be more interested to see which nonprofits and charities (except the fair, which seems to have kind of a payback deal) are reaping the benefits of the big money in Iowa. That’s a story I’m waiting to read.